A children’s charity has welcomed a series of new initiatives to tackle the impacts of poverty across North Tyneside.
North Tyneside Council’s Cabinet has approved four schemes to receive funding through its £1 million poverty intervention fund, which aims to reduce the impacts of poverty on children, older people, and low-income families in the borough.
The fund was set up as part of the council’s budget for 2020/2021.
In North Tyneside, an estimated 31.4% of children were living in poverty in 2017/18 and there are currently 5641 children who are entitled to free school meals due to low income.
One initiative will see the council work with Children North East to extend ‘poverty proofing’ measures across every school in North Tyneside. The scheme helps to identify and break down barriers to education caused by poverty.
Last year the initiative worked with 15,501 primary and secondary pupils in schools around the North East and another 15,623 pupils in other areas of the country.
Eight schools in North Tyneside have so far been 'poverty proofed' since the programme began.
Changes made by schools as a result of a 'poverty proofing' audit have included changing uniform policy to make it more accessible to all pupils and curbing the use of mobile phones to avoid the pressure of having the latest model.
Luke Bramhall, School Research and Delivery Service Manager for Children North East, welcomed the decision.
He said: “Children North East is delighted to hear of the Poverty Intervention Fund and we are looking forward to working with North Tyneside Council and schools to deliver our impactful Poverty Proofing the School Day so that the voice of every child in North Tyneside is heard and barriers for engagement and progress can be effectively addressed."
The fund will also provide direct support to families who struggle to pay for the basics via a £45 voucher scheme to help meet the costs of school clothing for every child who is entitled to free school meal, as well as free food and meals during the school holidays to combat ‘holiday hunger’.
A benefits take-up campaign will support older people to navigate the benefits system and make sure they are claiming money that is rightfully theirs.
The proposals were brought forward by Councillor Bruce Pickard, Deputy Mayor of North Tyneside, and Councillor Ray Glindon, Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources.
Councillor Pickard said: “These initiatives will be targeted in the areas where they can make the biggest difference to people’s lives in North Tyneside.
“We know the impact that living in poverty can have on a child’s experience at school and on their mental health. By ‘poverty proofing the school day’ we aim to reach every school in the borough and support our teachers, pupils and parents, to develop ways in which families can be financially supported and reduce the stigma and discrimination that often results from poverty.
“Additionally, families who are entitled to free school meals will receive help towards the cost of school clothing, as well as free food and meals during school holidays.
“Our benefit take-up scheme will support our older and vulnerable residents by making sure they are claiming their proper entitlement.
“We look forward to working with Children North East and all our partners to make sure this fund makes a real difference to the day to day lives of the people who need it most – something which is even more important now as across North Tyneside we continue through our recovery from the pandemic.”
